Skip to main content

Full text of "Canadian Moving Picture Digest (Dec 22, 1956)"

See other formats


CANADIAN MOVING PICTURE 


P9556 HOLLBDAY: ER1TTION 


A 


on ee 


———— 


‘ MERRY 4 
| CHRISTMAS 


Ff’ HAPPY 
|‘ NEW YEAR 


From Alois -~ | 


to All of Dou We : aaa 


HOLIDAY 
BOUNTY! 


Current and coming 
attractions from M-G-M: 
“THE TEAHOUSE OF THE AUGUST MOON” 


(CinemaScope— Metrocolor) 
Marlon Brando, Glenn Ford, Machiko Kyo, Eddie Albert, 
Paul Ford, Jun Negami, Nijiko Kiyokawa, Mitsuko 


Sawamura. 
“THE OPPOSITE SEX” 


(CinemaScope— Metrocolor) 
June Allyson, Joan Collins, Dolores Gray, Ann Sheridan, 
Ann Miller, Leslie Nielsen, Jeff Richards, Agnes 
Moorehead, Charlotte Greenwood, Joan Blondell, Sam 


Levene. 
“JULIE” 


Doris Day, Louis Jourdan, Barry Sullivan, Frank 
Lovejoy. An Arwin Production. 


“THE IRON PETTICOAT” 
(Vista Vision— Technicolor®) 
Bob Hope, Katharine Hepburn, Noelle Middleton, 
James Robertson Justice, Robert Helpmann. A Remus 
Film. 
“THE GREAT AMERICAN PASTIME” 
Tom Ewell, Anne Francis, Ann Miller. 


“EDGE OF THE CITY” 


John Cassavetes, Sidney Poitier, Jack Warden, Kathleen 
Maguire, Ruby Dee. A Jonathan Production. 


“THE BARRETTS OF WIMPOLE STREET” 


(CinemaScope— Metrocolor) 
Jennifer Jones, John Gielgud, Bill Travers, Virginia 


McKenna. 
“THE LITTLE HUT” 


Ava Gardner, Stewart Granger, David Niven, Walter 
Chiari. A Herbson, S. A. Production. 


“SLANDER” 


Van Johnson, Ann Blyth, Steve Cochran, Marjorie 
Rambeau, Richard Eyer. 


“THE HAPPY ROAD” 


Gene Kelly, Barbara Laage, Michael Redgrave, Bobby 
Clark, Brigette Fossey. A Kerry Production. 


“THE LIVING IDOL” 
(CinemaScope— Color) 
Steve Forrest, Liliane Montevecchi, James Robertson 
Justice, Sara Garcia, Eduardo Noriega. An Albert 
Lewin Production. 
“LIZZIE” 


Eleanor Parker, Richard Boone, Joan Blondell, Hugo 
Hass. A Bryna Production. 


“RAINTREE COUNTY” 

(In M-G-M Camera 65— Metrocolor) 
Montgomery Clift, Elizabeth Taylor, Eva Marie Saint, 
Nigel Patrick, Lee Marvin, Rod Taylor, Agnes 
Moorehead, Walter Abel, Jarma Lewis, Tom Drake. 


“THE PURPLE HARVEST” 
(CinemaScope— Metrocolor) 
Mel Ferrer, Pier Angeli, John Kerr, Michele Morgan, 
Theodore Bickel, Leif Erickson. 


“THE WINGS OF EAGLES” 
(Metrocolor) 
John Wayne, Dan Dailey, Maureen O’Hara, Ward Bond. 


“SOMETHING OF VALUE” 
Rock Hudson, Dana Wynter, Wendy Hiller, Juano 
Hernandez, William Marshall, Sidney Poitier. 


"TEN THOUSAND BEDROOMS” 

(CinemaScope— Metrocolor) 
Dean Martin, Anna Maria Alberghetti, Eva Bartok, 
Dewey Martin, Walter Slezak, Paul Henreid, Jules 
Munshin. 

“DESIGNING WOMAN” 

(CinemaScope— Metrocolor) 
Gregory Peck, Lauren Bacall, Dolores Gray, Jack Cole, 
Tom Helmore, Sam Levene, Mike Shaughnessy, Chuck 
Connors. 


“GUN GLORY” 
(CinemaScope— Metrocolor) 
Stewart Granger, Rhonda Fleming, Chill Wills, Steve 
Rowland. 


LE RTT 2 Or 


JAY L, SMITH 
EDITOR AND 
PUBLISHER 


VOL. 48, NO. 51 


By JAY L. SMITH 


bean 


Another twelve months 
come and gone, and as the year 
1956 approaches its final days, the 
Motion Picture Industry in Canada 
looks back on the past year with 
mixed emotions. For some, both 
exhibitors and distributors, it has 
been a rough year. Quite a few 
small theatres have closed down 
completely, and the properties have 
been sold for other purposes. Many 
other theatres have cut down their 
operating periods, from six days to 
two or three days, and undoubted- 
ly some of these will close before 
many more months have passed. 
On the other hand, a few brand 
new theatres have been built, and 
several that were closed a year 
ago, are now open, and doing well. 
As for the drive-ins, one or two 
have gone by the wayside, but a 
number of new ones have opened 
up, and generally have reported 
satisfactory business. 


have 


The circuits, including Famous 
Players and Odeon, as well as the 
smaller chains, have retrenched 
somewhat during the past twelve 
months. All circuits have disposed 
of some theatres that were losing 
propositions, and added others that 
have strengthened their positions. 
The capital gains achieved in the 
disposition of properties that were 
no longer profitable as operating 
theatres, have kept the profits of 
the chains at a satisfactory level, 
and in some cases they are actually 
up somewhat over last year. 


The situation for the distributors 
is, I believe, generally improved 
since this time last year. With few 
exceptions, all companies have had 
bigger and better pictures this year 
than for the past few seasons, and 


FIRST WITH THE FILM NEWS IN CANADA 


CANADIAN MOVING 


PICTURE 


RS 


Published by CANADIAN MOVING PICTURE DIGEST COMPANY LIMITED 


Industry Highlights of 1956 


the big pictures have once more 
proven that there is nothing wrong 
with Show Business that good pic- 
tures won't cure. 


Grosses of some of the compa- 
nies are down from a year ago, but 
for others there has been a marked 
increase, and an indication that not 
only is the worst over, but with 
the quality of the product showing 
such a marked improvement, there 
is every reason to hope that the 
future is rosier than ever. 


One of the most important de- 
velopments in the Industry in Can- 
ada this past year, has been the 
very noticeable improvement in 
relations between exhibitors and 
distributors. Just one year ago these 
two groups were engaged in the 
most vicious kind of battle, with 
the exhibitors calling the distribut- 
ors “Shylocks” who were out to 
gouge the exhibitors not only of a 
pound of fiesh, but of their very 
life-blood, while the distributors 
for their part, were fully convinced 
that every exhibitor was a master 
of grand and petty larceny, and as 
crooked as the proverbial cork- 
screw. 


Today, the atmosphere has 
changed completely. Exhibitors 
now realize that if the producers 
are to continue making the kind 
of motion pictures that will save 
the Industry from extinction as an 
entertainment medium, the distri- 
butors must receive a fair rental 
for these pictures. At the same 
time, the distributors have appar- 
ently recognized the fact that if 
they are to continue to have exhi- 
bitor-customers for their pictures, 
a large enough share of the box- 
office dollar must remain with the 
exhibitor to pay his operating costs 
and give him a profit to compen- 
sate for his work and his invest- 
ment. The mere fact that today 
each group recognizes that the 
other has problems, and_ that 
neither can exist without the other, 


is a forward step that promises to 
benefit all branches of the Industry 
in the future. 

The bogey of Television, which 
a year ago had most of the ex- 
hibitors in Canada in a state of 
panic, today has lost much of its 
fearful aura. In many communi- 
ties, the opposition of Television 
has been met and conquered, much 
more effectively in fact than other 
forms of entertainment and re- 
laxation that have cut into the 
public’s theatre attendance. The 
quality of Television programming 
generally has not improved during 
the past year, with but a few 
notable exceptions, and the public 
in many areas have become fed up 
with mediocre TV shows, con- 
stantly interrupted by over-long 
and boring commercials, and have 
sought out the fine entertainment 
provided by the many outstanding 
motion pictures put into release 
this year, at their favorite theatres. 
There is every reason to hope that 
this trend will not only continue 
but will be expanded in the months 
ahead. 


A number of important changes 
have taken place in the personnel 
of the American producer-distribu- 
tors, which indirectly affect the 
Industry in Canada. Nicholas M. 
Schenck, considered by many to be 
the Dean of the distribution field, 
has announced his retirement from 
Loew’s, Inc., effective the first of 
the year. Mr. Schenck, who had 
become Chairman of the Board of 
Loew’s-M-G-M when Arthur Loew 
took over the Presidency, was ap- 
pointed Honorary Chairman of the 
Board, when Arthur Loew in turn 
moved from President to Chairman 
of the Board, with Joseph Vogel 
succeeding Loew as _ President. 
News of the retirement of Mr. 
Schenck, which was announced a 
few weeks later, was received with 
deep regret by the entire Industry. 

One of the biggest news stories 
in the Industry during 1956, was 


RAY LEWIS 
FOUNDER 
1915-1954 


TORONTO, DECEMBER 22, 1956 


Rees 


the sale of control of Warner Bros. 
by the Warner family, to an in- 


vestment syndicate headed by 
Serge Semenenko. With the sale 
came the resignation from the 
Presidency of Warner Bros. by 
Harry M. Warner, who was suc- 
ceeded by his brother, Jack L. 
Warner, formerly Vice-President in 
charge of production. Jack Warner, 
in taking over the Executive helm, 
still remained boss of the studios 
as well, and an expanded produc- 
tion program was put into effect. 


At 20th Century-Fox, Bill Geh- 
ring, popular General Sales Mana- 
ger, was appointed Executive Vice- 
President of the company, and as- 
sistant to President Spyros Skouras. 
Alex Harrison, former Western 
Division Manager, became the new 
General Sales Manager for 20th- 
Fox, and in a reorganization of the 


sales districts, Arthur Silverstone 


became Assistant Sales Manager, 
and C, Glenn Norris was appointed 
Division Manager of the newly- 
created Central and Canadian 
Division. 

A recent change at the Metro- 
Goldwyn-Mayer studios saw Dore 
Schary step out as head of produc- 

(Continued on page 5) 


a 

I< 
eee 
72 0 w 
ge k 5 
oll > -F 
52 yO 
fe are 
> F 
z 


soe 


SSS 


DECEMBER 22, 1956 


HIGHLIGHTS 


(Continued from Page 3) 
tion, with Benjamin Thau ap- 
pointed studio administrator. Re- 
ports are that Sol. C. Siegel, inde- 
pendent producer whose “High 
Society” proved the biggest money- 
maker from M-G-M this year, is 
being sought by Joseph Vogel and 
the Loew’s Board, to take over as 
V-P in charge of production. 

Death took a number of im- 
portant Industry figures during the 
past year, most prominent being 
Jack Cohn, Executive Vice-Presi- 
dent and co-founder of Columbia 
Pictures, who passed away just two 
weeks ago. With his brother Harry, 
the President of the company, 
handling production on the Coast, 
Jack Cohn had his headquarters in 
New York, and had charge of the 
sales and distribution end of the 
business. Founder of the Motion 
Picture Pioneers, Jack Cohn was 
one of the most important execu- 
tives in the Motion Picture Indus- 
try, and his loss will be felt by the 
entire Industry. 

One newcomer who has made 
rapid strides in the Industry this 
past year, is Canadian financier 
Lou Chesler, who put up over 
$20,000,000 through a corporate 
shell company known as PRM, to 
buy the entire W-B film library for 
Television and theatrical distribu- 
tion. Chesler also attempted to 
secure the M-G-M library, but the 
Loew’s Board failed to go along 
with the proposed deal. Through a 
subsidiary company, Associated 
Artists, headed by Elliot Hyman, 
Chesler is distributing the W-B re- 
issues theatrically in the U.S., and 
is expected to open up a branch in 
Canada shortly. 

Two companies have surged 
ahead in the past year in remark- 
able fashion. United Artists, which 
just a few years ago was in virtual 
bankruptcy, has continued to pro- 
gress under the inspired leadership 
of Robert Benjamin, Arthur Krim, 
William Heineman, Max Young- 
stein and Arnold Picker, and Gen- 
eral Sales Manager Jim Velde. Six 
years ago, UA was losing $100,000 
per week. This year the company 
will roll up a world gross of over 
$63,000,000, and a record profit. 
Since 1951, the gross sales of UA 
have gone from $18,000,000 to 
$63,000,000, and the goal for next 
year is $75,000,000. 

The other company that has 
made the biggest forward steps has 
been RKO, which under its new 
owners and management, has con- 
centrated on production of new 
and important pictures for the ex- 
hibitors. Under the O’Neil-O’Shea 
direction, production chief William 
Dozier has completed enough new 
pictures to put several into distri- 


CANADIAN MOVING PICTURE DIGEST 


bution this year, and to guarantee 
delivery of 17 in the first six 
months of 1957. In addition to 
the pictures produced at the RKO 
studio, the company has acquired 
several important independent pro- 
ductions to add to the schedule. 

O’Neil and General Teleradio 
bought RKO from Howard Hughes 
just a little over a year ago, for 
$25,000,000, at a time when RKO 
was not only in the doldrums, but 
actually did not know where their 
next picture was coming from, or 
when. In the short period of time 
since the new group took over, 
RKO has bounced back with a 
vengeance, and once more is taking 
its place in the ranks of the major 
producer-distributors. 

In Canada, no major personnel 
changes have taken place either 
among the distributors, or the two 
leading theatre circuits, with the 
exception that John J. Fitzgibbons, 
President of Famous Players, who 
for a number of months was mak- 
ing his headquarters at the Para- 
mount studios in California, is now 
back in Toronto permanently, 
having bought a new home here; 
and that Ron Leonard has replaced 
Jim Hardiman as Odeon’s Adver- 
tising and Publicity Director, 
Hardiman resigning to join Nation- 
al Theatres in Los Angeles. 

A number of changes have 
occurred in distribution at the 
Branch level, and these are re- 
corded in the Industry Highlights 
of 1956, which follow. One inde- 
pendent distribution company, Alli- 
ance Films, which was headed by 
this writer, has quit the distribution 
field this year, turning over its pic- 
tures and its branches across 
Canada, to Astral Films. Cardinal 
Films, headed by Harry and Leslie 
Allen, whose sales were previously 
handled by the J. Arthur Rank 
Organization, has made a change 
in its set-up during the past few 
months, and now physical distribu- 
tion only is handled by JARFD. 

During 1956, Morris Stein, East- 
ern Division Manager for Famous 
Players, succeeded Nat Taylor, as 
President of the Canadian Picture 


“seasons greetings 
from ASN’ 


*ASSOCIATED SCREEN NEWS 
2000 Northcliffe Ave., Montreal 


Pioneers, and guided that organiza- 
tion to new successes, culminating 
in the Annual Dinner and Dance, 
at which the ‘Pioneer of the Year” 
Award was presented to Oscar R. 
Hanson. 

The Motion Picture Industry 
Council of Canada, at its annual 
meeting returned ail its executive 
officers, with R. W. Bolstad, Vice- 
President of Famous Players, again 
the Chairman. The Publicity Com- 
mittee of the MPICC, under the 
Chairmanship of Charles S. Chap- 
lin, sponsored the Academy Award 
Contest, or “Oscar Derby” as it 
was more popularly known, which 
proved to be an outstanding suc- 
cess, and will be repeated again 
this year, with Dick Main appoint- 
ed special co-ordinator for the pro- 
ject. 

At the Variety Ciub Tent 28, 
Nat Taylor succeeded Dave Gries- 
dorf as Chief Barker, while Dan 
Krendel moved up to the office of 
Ist Assistant Chief Barker, and 
J. J. Fitzgibbons, Jr., became 2nd 
Assistant Chief Barker. Chet Fried- 
man, in his first year on the crew 
was appointed Property Master, 
with Al Troyer repeating as Dough 
Guy. 

And so another year has come 
and gone, and Movies ARE Better 
Than Ever. Pictures like “The 
Ten Commandments”, “War and 
Peace”, “Giant”, “Trapeze”, “The 
Eddy Duchin Story”, “The King 
and I”, “High Society”, “The 
Benny Goodman Story”, “The Con- 
querors”, “Picnic”, “Reach For 
The Sky”, and several others have 
proven that the really good pictures 
can make more money today, than 
ever before. 

The iine-up of product for the 
coming year from all the com- 
panies promises that 1957 will see 
a steadily increased patronage of 
our motion picture theatres from 
one end of Canada to the other. 

With this pleasant thought in 
mind, we at The Digest, extend to 
you and yours, our very best wishes 
for a Merry Christmas, and our 
hope and confidence of a Happy 
and Prosperous New Year. 


a) 
ee 
s 


PAGE FIVE 


JANUARY 


M-G-M release of Samuel Gold- 
wyn’s “Guys and Dolls” smashes 
all records at Odeon houses across 
Canada . . . RKO Canadian Dis- 
trict under Jack Labow wins Bil- 
lings Drive, with five Canadian 
branches winning top honors . 


JACK LABOW 


Steve McManus named Odeon On- 
tario district manager; Wannie 
Tyers, Hamilton city supervisor... 
Joe Garfin resigns as Emp-Univ. 
Toronto branch manager; Perry 
Wright moved from Vancouver to 
Toronto, with Charlie Backus ap- 
pointed new Van. manager .. . 
JARO star David Knight makes 
P.A.’s in Toronto and Montreal... 
Phil Stone appointed Programme 
Director CHUM .. .Col. John A. 
Cooper dies in Toronto .. . JARO 
and Odeon to sponsor “Miss Cana- 
da Contest” . . . Industry endorses 
Scott appointed Toronto branch 
“Oscar Derby” Contest . . . Frank 
manager JARFD; Reg Doddridge 
new Calgary branch manager .. . 


FRANK SCOTT 


Hon. C. L. Shuttleworth of Mani- 
toba proposes one Western Canada 
Censor Board . . . Bob Gardner 
appointed assistant to Frank Fisher 
at Odeon ... Jack Labow an- 
nounces RKO to spend $22,500,- 
000 on 11 features ... B.C. Gov- 
ernment reduces Amusement Tax 
from 15% to 10% . . . Mort Mar- 
golius and Jim Hardiman named 
co-chairmen Toronto Committee 
(Continued on Page 9) 


WF 
Rabel 
Ox 
aa 
YW = 
a. = 
[ | 
<i 
aS 
—a 
= © 
| 
© 
ad 


DECEMBER 22, 1956 


HIGHLIGHTS 


(Continued from Page 5) 

for “Oscar Contest” . . . Canadian 
Picture Pioneers hold annual meet- 
ing and elect new Board . . . Sir 
Alexander Korda, pioneer British 
film producer, dies . . . 20th-Fox 
to release 34 pix in 1956... 
Republic schedules 24 features. 


FEBRUARY 


Stratford Festival play, “Oedipus 
Rex” to be filmed in Canada in 
color... CBC head, David Dun- 
ton, guest speaker at annual meet- 
ing of Canadian Association of 
M.P. Producers & Laboratories . . . 
JARFD’s “Doctor At Sea” a rec- 
ord-breaker in early Canadian runs 
.. . Jim Powis retires as 20th-Fox 
Toronto booker . Bill Gehring, 
Arthur Silverstone and Rodney 
Bush to Toronto for 20th-Fox Sales 
Meet .. . M-G-M week, Feb. 5-11 
tremendous success, with 45,596 
subjects playing in 17,710 U.S. and 
Canadian theatres . . . Dave Gries- 
dorf, former Odeon General Mana- 
ger, joins IFD as Executive Vice- 
President . . . Jim Hardiman, 
Qdeon ad-pub director, married 
. .. Industry toasts Tommy Cleary, 
Consolidated Theatres, Montreal, 
advertising manager, at post-nuptial 


MORRIS STEIN 


party . . . 20th-Fox’s CinemaScope 
°55 demonstrations held across 
Canada .. . Morris Stein elected 


iM 


21 Dundas Square 
Canada 
SARA AAA WIAA WAAVWAVWES 


* Toronto " 


DR NY eee ee Be Nee De Ie DEE EE Ie EN Ne RS 
Yi COMPLIMENTS a 
4 OF 5 
i J.JOHN | 
wy i 
, Fd 
| SHULMAN | 
s & COMPANY 5 
: Chartered 5 
: Accountants & 
ra : 
Mg 


CANADIAN MOVING PICTURE DIGEST 


President, Canadian Picture Pion- 
eers; Rube Bolstad new Vice-Presi- 
dent . . . Darryl Zanuck resigns 
as 20th-Fox V-P in charge of pro- 
duction, to become indie producer, 
distributing through Fox; Al Licht- 
man steps down as V-P in charge 
of sales . . . Columbia star Kim 
Novak on P.A. tour of Canada in 
conjunction with “Picnic” . 
Bernard Kranze resigns as General 
Sales Manager for UA; succeeded 
by Jim Velde . . . Alderman Don 
Summerville, manager of Prince of 
Wales Theatre, Toronto, named 
chairman of the Metropolitan To- 
ronto Civil Defense Committee . . 
Over 500 Canadian theatres parti- 
cipate in “Oscar Contest”, with 12 
top newspapers as sponsors 
Academy Award nominations an- 
nounced with UA’s “Marty” ruling 
hot favorite . . . Dr. Leon Lortie 


of Montreal named Vice-Chairman 


JIM VELDE 
of the National Film Board .. . 
Manitoba exhibitors press _ for 


Amusement Tax reduction. 


MARCH 
M-G-M’s “Pll Cry Tomorrow 
proving one of that company’s big- 
gest box-office hits . . . Trevor 
Howard in Toronto for Canadian 


a 


RAR AAD AAAAAAAAAARBARAAAA 


Best Wishes For 
The Holiday Season 


* 


LASALLE 
RECREATIONS 
Ltd. 


VANCOUVER, B.C. 


CEE EE REE ug 


Premiere of Columbia’s “Cockle- 
shell Heroes” . . . Maritime Exhi- 
bitors Association presents brief to 
N.B. government for repeal of 
Amusement Tax . . . Barney Brook- 
ler appointed Winnipeg manager 
Theatre Posters; Harry Barron, 
Ont. manager . . . Lou Chesler’s 


PRM buys W-B film library to 
1948, for $21,000,000 . . . Bill 
Gehring named Vice-President of 


RALPH DALE 


20th-Fox and executive assistant to 
President Spyros Skouras hte 
M-G-M to distribute Ealing Studios 
product . The Lone Ranger 
visits Toronto and Montreal to 
publicize W-B picture .. . Alberta 
Government reduces Amusement 
Tax .. . Odeon buys Fingold cir- 
cuit, forms Regional Theatres sub- 
sidiary with Ralph Dale as General 
Manager . . . Ted Abrams appoint- 
ed Publicity Director, Associated 
Screen News . . . Winnipeg Pion- 
eers hold 4th Annual Bonspiel .. . 
Charles S. Chaplin elected Presi- 
dent, CMPDA; Mark Plottel, Vice- 
President Morris J. Weiss, 
Toronto exhibitor and Odeon part- 
ner, dies in Miami . . . “Richard 
Ill” premieres over TV, prior to 
theatrical release . . . Paramount 
to remodel Canadian head-office 
building . . . Famous Players close 
deal for Todd-AO “Oklahoma!” in 
Toronto and Montreal . . . Alliance 
Films turn over distribution facili- 


ae 


“May Your Christmas be 
Merry, 


Your New Year 
Full of Happiness!”’ 


LIONEL LESTER 


NATIONAL 
BOOKING 
COMPANY 


TORONTO 
VD DP SIIISI SI SVIAVIwViswisizr 


RAAAWS IGS AIAAAARAMAABAA AAA Maia 


Bi 


rt 


PAGE NINE 


JACK FITZGIBBONS 


ties in all branches, and pictures 
to Astral; Alliance head J. L. Smith 
retires from distribution to concen- 
trate on C.M.P. Digest . . . Jack 
Fitzgibbons, Theatre Confections 
G-M, addresses Popcorn Conces- 
sions Ass’n meet in Chicago... 
R. W. Altschuler, Republic G-M, 
praise JARFD distribution of Re- 
public, on visit to Toronto. . . Alex 
Harrison appointed General Sales 
Manager, 20th Century-Fox .. . 
“Marty” wins Academy Award, 
with Ernest Borgnine and Anna 
Magnani winning top acting honors 
. Canadian “Academy Award 
Contest” overwhelming success. 


APRIL 


Manitoba Government reduces 
Amusement Tax . . . Eugene Fitz- 
gibbons elected to Board of Can. 
Ass’n. of Radio and Television 
Broadcasters Hilly Cass, 
M-G-M Canadian GSM announces 
“Raintree County” to be filmed in 
new 65mm process . . . Bill For- 
man, Astral Films, married. . . 
RKO to distribute CinemaScope 
version of “Oklahoma!” outside 
U.S. and Canada . .. Multiple 
booking formula spreads, with 
F-P’s “Shows of the Week” prov- 
ing big success . . . Max Chic re- 
signs as Digest Associate Editor to 
join Harvey Harnick’s Premium 
Media Services . . . Shelly Films 
opens new service studio near To- 

(Continued on Page 11) 


Pt 


as 


AE EE EE EP ESS ES DE ES ES DE DS SDE ES 


SEASON'S 
GREETINGS * 7-4 


* 


REGINA 
MOTION PICTURE 
EXHIBITORS 
ASSOCIATION 


MG 


SR DEDEDE UE EE EE UE 


ee ‘Bi 


r 
i 
4 
y 
» 
) 
r 


ae ® 


¥ a8 
pig AB em p 
at a oY 


a Soe MONK, 

BBs ae ty 
ree Son oe 
OE oa sats. 


DECEMBER 22. 1956 


HIGHLIGHTS 


(Continued from Page 9) 


ronto ... F.P.C.C. annual state- 
ment shows drop in_ operating 
profits of $1,417,836; sale of capi- 
tal assets, including Victoria Thea- 
tre, Toronto, Village Theatre, To- 
ronto, and Sky-Way Drive-In, 


JOHN J. FITZGIBBONS 


London, raises net profit to 
$2,933,112, compared _ with 
$3,384,825 for previous year... 
J. J. Fitzgibbons, F-P President, 
announces Telemeter to be given 
try-out in Vancouver . . . “Torchy” 
Coatsworth leaves CBC to become 
assistant general manager, MPTV 
(Canada) . . . UA’s “Man with the 
Golden Arm” doing smash business 
in Canada . . . 20th-Fox reorga- 
nizes sales districts, C. Glenn Nor- 
ris heads new Central-Canadian 
Division . . . James R. “Jimmy” 
Nairn wins 1955 Variety Club Tent 


GEE EEE EE ELE EE EEE 


Compliments 
Of the Season 


Canadian 
Automatic 


Confections 
Ltd. 


Toronto 


SBR ARAARABRR ARRAS RARAARAR RAR eee 
SADA LO PO SOLOSE LO FO LOSOFOLE SOLO SOTO LE LO FASO SOT OIEFOSAFEFOSBIOSAIOAIOSBIOFO 


Y 


¥ 


$293 SUSE SE SESE SE ae eS 


CANADIAN MOVING PICTURE DIGEST 


28 “Heart Award” Tivoli, 
Toronto, re-opens with Canadian 
premiere, Todd-AO “Oklahoma!” 
Grace Kelly married to Prince 
Rainier of Monaco in gala cere- 
mony . Hecht-Lancaster sign 
new production-distribution deal 
with UA, calling for budget of 
$40,000,000 over next few years 
. .«. Astral secures Canadian fran- 
chise for American Releasing Corp. 
and American International . . . 
Leo Spitz, former RKO President, 
dies in Hollywood . . . Institutional 
advertising campaign created by 
Clare Appel, made _ available 
through The Digest to all Cana- 
dian exhibitors. 


MAY 


Gordon Lightstone, Paramount’s 
Canadian G-M, announces first 


JIMMY NAIRN 


Canadian playdates for “War and 
Peace” and “The Ten Command- 
ments” .. . Ont. Censor Chief O. J. 
Silverthorne, in annual _ report, 
claims lack of family fare hurting 
smaller theatres . . . Pete Barnes 
adds nine Washington State thea- 
tres to his circuit, which includes 
three theatres in B.C. . . . Joe Gar- 
fin, and Owen Bird, form B.C. 
booking organization, to be man- 
aged by Garfin .. . Nicole Maurey, 
star of RKO’s “The Bold and the 
Brave” big hit in P.A. at Montreal 
. . « CBC wins 7 first awards and 
5 honorable mentions for its radio 
and TV programs . . . NFB Chair- 
man, Dr. Trueman, addresses 
SMPTE Convention in New York 
on importance of documentary 
films . Premiere two JARO 
films on new CPR liner, Empress 
of Britain . . . Mort Blumenstock 
resigns as W-B ad-pub chief .. . 
M-G-M announces plan to shoot 
several pix in black and_ white 
CinemaScope . . . Shooting com- 
pleted in Toronto on “Oedipus 
Rex” . . . Lou Chesler reported in 
attempt to buy control of W-B... 
CBC televises “Holiday Ranch” 
program from stage of Odeon- 
Carlton, Toronto . . . Bob Savini, 
Astor Pictures head, dies in Florida 


... John McKim, of Odeon, wins 
Quigley Grand Award . . . Mickey 
Stevenson appointed Toronto 
Branch Manager of Paramount, 
succeeding Al Iscove, who resigned; 
Mel Hayter new Vancouver mana- 
ger . . . 20th-Fox’s “Man in the 
Grey Flannel Suit” cleaning up at 
box-offices across Canada . . . Re- 
port control of Warner Brothers to 
be bought by syndicate headed by 
Serge Semenenko, Boston banker 
. . . Canadian delegates attend In- 
ternational Variety Club conven- 
tion in New York; John H. Rowley 
elected Int. Chief Barker . . . Para- 
mount reports highest revenue 
since 1950 . . . Louis Calhern, 
noted actor, dies in Japan... 
A. W. Perry announces Universal 
to make 30 pix, 17 in color, 11 in 
CinemaScope Ely Landau’s 
National Television Association 
buys 52 20th-Fox oldies for TV 
. . . Lou Chesler reported offering 
Loew’s $50,000,000 for pre-1948 
library. 


JUNE 

Jack Chisholm resigns from ASN 
to form Showcase Film Produc- 
tions, making pix for TV . . . Para- 
mount holds Canadian sales meet- 
ing, with George Weltner and 
Charles Boasberg in attendance... 
Cleo Moore, star of Columbia’s 
“Over Exposed” visits Ontario for 
series of P.A.’s . ... N.S. exhibi- 


Old: 


SILVERTHORNE 


tors meet with government leaders 
in tax appeal . . . Hector Quag- 
liotti, oldest Canadian exhibitor, 
dies in Vancouver at age of 81... 
Harry Coleman sells out Coleman 
Electric Co. to General Theatre 
Supply 
The 6th of June”, written by Mon- 
trealer Lionel Shapiro, opens to 
packed houses across Canada... 
U.S. Consul-General addresses an- 
nual dinner of Quebec Picture 
Pioneers . NEB short, “The 
Shepherd” wins top award at Irish 
Film Festival . . . C. V. Whitney 
announces new process to change 
old films to new aspect ratios, and 
add color and sound .. . Ed Morey, 
Allied Artists Vice-President, and 
M. R. “Razz” Goldstein, A.A. Gen- 
eral Sales Manager, visits Toron- 


. 20th-Fox’s “D-Day, | 


PAGE ELEVEN 


SSS SS Ss Ss iS Ss SS Ss SS Ss Ss as Ss 


With best wishes 


FREE LE 


to everybody in the 
Motion Picture 


Industry 


Johnny Cohn 


‘<< Ak Bs OS es es es es es ed ee ek ek ek kK 
SB PE PS FAFA IO FIOIA IS FS FAFA FA FAFA IS FO FAIS FOF. 


PEASE SE SOLE SOLOS SOLOS TOSOSOD 


to... TV set sales show big drop 
in Canada; radio sets up. . 

Strand, Montreal, manager L. H. 
Fleming, wins $140,000 in Irish 
Sweepstakes . Dawson Exley 
appointed Vancouver Branch Man- 
ager, 20th Century-Fox; Gordon 
Lightstone, Jr., appointed St. John 
manager . . . Jim Hardiman an- 
nounces resignation as Odeon ad- 
pub director, effective Sept. 1; 
Hardiman to join National Thea- 
tres in L.A. . . . Romeo Vandette 
elected President, Quebec Picture 
Pioneers . . . W-B’s release of C. V. 
Whitney’s “The Searchers” doing 
smash business in Canadian thea- 
tres . . . Ben Sommers re-elected 
President, Manitoba Exhibitors As- 
sociation .. . Variety Club Tent 28 
holds annual ball-game, Toronto; 
thunderstorm cuts attendance... . 
Loew’s Board rejects all outside 
cffers for film library; forms own 
TV division with Bud Barry as 
head . . . UA Week in Canada, 
greatest in Canadian film history, 
with 1,694 features playing in 922 
theatres . . . 20th-Fox to release 


¥ 


® 


David O. Selznick’s remake of 
“Farewell to Arms”, and re-release 


JOHN McKIM 


“Rebecca” and “Third Man”... 
Qdeon operating 10 Drive - Ins 
across Canada, five Odeon-owned, 
and five owned by W. B. Herman 
. . Famous Players hold annual 
picnic at Toronto; 10 employees 
inducted into 254/Year Club. 
(Continued on Page 23) 


[0 “4 
fav 
aad 
me 
Lae 
ja 
< 


J 


Nae ccauiil 


DECEMBER 22, 1956 


CANADIAN MOVING PICTURE DIGEST 


PAGE THIRTEEN 


Report of the Public Relations Committee, Charles S$. Chaplin, Chairman, 
To The Motion Picture Industry Council of Canada Annual Meeting 


At the last Annual Meeting in November 1955 through a resolution 
proposed by Morris Stein, I was appointed Chairman of your Public 
Relations Committee and charged with the job of finding and proposing 


ways and means of revitalizing 
motion picture attendance through- 
out Canada. In addition, I was re- 
quested to re-examine a_pubiic 
relations plan previously proposed 
and to recommend a revised plan 
of a revised budget on the basis of 
an allocation to each Provincial 
Association of their share of the 
total. 

Being primarily concerned as we 
all are with devising ways and 
means of stimulating theatre atten- 
dance, I endeavoured to formulate 
plans accordingly, and the second 
phase of the council’s request to 
me would then, of course, be in 
the operation of whatever plans 
were conceived. 

In January 1956, after having 
read sketchy details of an OSCAR 
CONTEST previously conducted in 
Texas and Winnipeg, a meeting of 
top exhibition representatives was 
held in the Distributors’ Associa- 
ttion offices on January 19th, 1956. 
I presented my suggestion of hav- 
ing a Canadian wide contest based 
on the Academy Awards, and after 
considerable discussion with some 
opposition being registered, the 
plan was accepted and then the fun 
started. 

The Academy nominations were 
announced on February 18th and 
the Academy Award results an- 
nounced on March 21st. We, there- 
fore, had scarcely four weeks to 
put the plan into operation. 

General Motors were persuaded 
to co-operate, and this participa- 
tion actually resulted in the plan 
getting off the ground, Oldsmobile 
88 Holiday Coupes were donated 
free of charge by General Motors 
in Toronto and Montreal and at a 
nominal cost for Vancouver and 
Winnipeg. General Motors under- 
took the production costs and 
other expenses involved for an 
Oldsmobile color trailer. They split 
various display items and I wish 
to advise that the expense incurred 
by Oldsmobile was comparative to 
the advertising value which they 
received. However, as a result of 
General Motors’ participation, the 
plan snowballed. The Winnipeg 
Tribune having participated in the 
past, agreed to go along, then the 
Toronto Telegram, then other 
papers across the country followed 
suit. The degree of newspaper co- 
operation fiinally secured was far 
beyond our fondest expectations 
and to a degree never before se- 
cured by our industry. 


CHARLES S. CHAPLIN 


Tribute must be paid to the hard 
work of all localities across the 
country. They showed what they 
can do to promote a plan that they 
could sink their teeth into. I would 
like very much, but I cannot name 
all the individuals who contributed 
magnificently to the success of the 
NAME THE OSCAR WINNERS 
CONTEST. A truly remarkable job 
was done by all concerned. The 
analysis given to each attending 
delegate in a measure shows the 
results obtained and again we of 
the industry should be proud of all 
those fellows who did so much and 
whose time and effort was given in 
achieving the results you see in the 
analysis. 

It is difficult to assess the actual 
box office benefit of the contest. 
However, the cost per theatre was 
very low, but the most important 
factor in my opinion that resulted 
was newspapers across Canada 
were not only far more co-opera- 
tive to our industry during the con- 
test but have continued to be since 
the conclusion of the contest. The 
merchants who participated, I am 
told, were exceedingly gratified at 
the results and the fact that the 
newspapers who did_ participate 
have requested participation again 
and other newspapers have asked 
for participation makes it very 
gratifying. Similarly, merchants 
want to repeat their participation 
and additional merchants want to 
join the promotion. 

My report at this time is not 
going to deal with plans and meth- 
ods of putting over the contest on 
the local level. This will be incor- 
porated in a brochure or pressbook 
for the guidance of all theatre 
managers. 

I now propose a 1957 NAME 
THE OSCAR WINNERS CON- 


TEST. In the U.S.A. the Motion 
Picture Industry requested and 
were given an outline of the re- 
sults of our Canadian contest. 
Furthermore, I was invited and at- 
tended a meeting of the Committee 
representing distribution in the 
U.S.A. and who have now decided 
and secured the support of the in- 
dustry for a contest in the U.S.A. 
patterned after our example in 
Canada. We in Canada have been 
asked to participate in the U.S.A. 
contest. The Executive of the Mo- 
tion Picture Industry Council of 
Canada, however, decided that we 
wil] conduct our contest indepen- 
dently of the U.S.A. insofar as 
prizes are concerned but in con- 
junction with the U.S.A. insofar as 
advertising, publicity, etc., are con- 
cerned. It is proposed that we have 
a first prize for each province. 

I have had meetings with Gen- 
eral Motors and they will definitely 
participate. They desire to do so 
on a far greater scale in that all 
Oldsmobile dealers in Canada 
would advertise in co-operation 
with theatres. I have requested 
Oldsmobile 98’s as _ Provincial 
prizes and wherever possible Olds 
88’s and Chevrolets for first prizes 
in larger cities. I will arrange a 
meeting with Council representa- 
tives to map out our requests from 
General Motors and what we will 
give them in return. 

We are attempting to arrange 
for at least a first prize in cities 
and towns across Canada to be 
donated by national advertisers. 
Wherever this can be arranged for 
it will make the job easier for the 
local committee in that they will 
then only have to secure local ex- 
hibitor participation to augment the 
prize list. We had planned on at- 
tempting to have a first prize for 
Canada. We have, however, de- 
cided to forego doing so at least for 
the time being and for 1957 raise 
the participation in the contest to 
a provincial level and see how that 
works out. 

The administration and operation 
of the 1956 NAME THE OSCAR 
WINNERS CONTEST was done in 
a manner which involved a great 
deal of personal time and attention 
which I will not be able to give to 
the 1957 Contest. I propose that 
this Council, therefore, give their 
approval to the engaging of the 
best obtainable administration co- 
ordinator whose services would be 
required for approximately four 
months and whose duties would 
consist of co-ordinating the supply- 
ing of stories and materia] to news- 


papers, arranging for the supplying 
of trailers, promoting of prizes on 
national and local levels, the pre- 
paring and sending out of special 
material from time to time, hand- 
ling the innumerable requests for 
information from local committees 
and newspapers, the setting up of 
a uniform ballot which would be 
used across the country and the 
securing and forwarding to all com- 
mittees with the least possible de- 
lay the list of nominees when they 
are announced so that the contest 
can get underway at that time. 


I can only at this time make an 
estimate as to the expense that 
would be involved for this co- 
ordinator and a stenographer and 
possible office space. Subject to dis- 
cussion, I propose a minimum 
budget of $5,000 and the amount 
to be given by each member group 
of this council to be determined by 
a committee appointed by your 
chairman. 


I, together with other distributor 
representatives as well as exhibition 
representatives will voluntarily give 
all possible assistance to the co- 
ordinator. 


If the recommendations con- 
tained herein regarding the engag- 
ing of a national co-ordinator are 
accepted, then I would suggest that 
after he has operated for a period 
of at least two months the execu- 
tive of the council together with 
the Public Relations Committee 
should determine the feasibility of 
retaining the party on a_ year 
around basis for the purpose of 
handling all matters pertaining to 
our industry insofar as box office 
promotion and public relations are 
concerned. 


I wish at this time to publicly 
express our appreciation for the co- 
operation extended by Canadian 
Kodak in donating 12,000 feet of 
raw film which was used in the 
making up of trailers for the last 
contest. I also wish to express our 
deep appreciation for the support 
of the trade papers. They keep the 


industry advised of developments 


and unquestionably contributed tre- 
mendously to the success of the 
original OSCAR CONTEST by 
their wholehearted co-operation in 
conveying necessary information 
and advice throughout the country. 


(ED. NOTE: The recommenda- 
tions of Mr. Chaplin were adopted 
by the Motion Picture Industry 
Council, with H. C. D. Main, well 
known Ontario exhibitor, appointed 
Special Coordinator for the 1957 
Name The Oscar Winners Contest.) 


= 
< 
— 


aS 


A 


SSeS 


fe 
ee 


ee 
ie 


% 


CK 


Ss 


SSS 


ASS 


SOUND-MIXING—In the re-recording studio, various sound tracks are combined CHEMICAL MIXING ROOM—Chemical mixing is an essential part of motio| 
or “mixed” on an instrument known as a console. picture film processing. Shown is the chemical mixing equipment in the new lak 


| 
i 
i 
i 
| 


Canada is justly proud of its magnificent 
new National Film Board headquarters, 
located in the Montreal suburb of St. 
Laurent. Described by Film Commissioner 
DR. A. W. TRUEMAN (left), as the most 
up-to-date plant of its kind in the world, 
the new building boasts the very latest 
in every type cf equipment. In past years, 
the National Film Beard has done an out- 
standing job of publicizing Canada, and 
the Canadian way of life, to the entire 
world. With its new headquarters, the 
efficiency and potential of the Board will 
be greatly increased. 


THE THEATRE—This modern little theatre provides the utmost in comfort and SHOOTING STAGE—This is one of the most impressive sections of the ne| 


acoustical perfection for the viewers, while the projection booth boasts the finest quarters, with a clear overhead height of 135 feet, providing facilities for indog 
sound and projection equipment available today. shooting which the Board had not previously possessed. 


DECEMBER 22, 1956 


CANADIAN MOVING PICTURE DIGEST 


SUDDEN PASSING OF JACK COHN SAD 
LOSS FOR COLUMBIA & ENTIRE INDUSTRY 


Jack Cohn, co-founder and executive vice-president of Columbia 
Pictures Corporation, died Saturday, December 8th, at the age of 67, 
in New York. Mr. Cohn is survived by his widow, the former Jeanette 


Lesser; two sons, Ralph M. and 
Robert L.; two brothers, Harry, 
president of Columbia Pictures, 
and Nat; a sister, Mrs. Anna Faum; 
and three grandchildren, Jan Mar- 


cia. Bruce V. and Thomas F. 
Another son, Joseph H. Curtis, 
died in 1954. 


JACK COHN 


Jack Cohn, who was born in 
New York City on October 28, 
1889, to Joseph and Bella Cohn, 
had already made a name for him- 
self in the young motion picture 
industry, when, in 1920, he joined 
with his brother Harry and Joseph 
Brandt, to found the company that 
grew into Columbia Pictures Cor- 
poration. With a capital of $250 
they founded the CBC Films Sales 
Company; today the Columbia Pic- 
tures Corporation has assets in ex- 
cess of $65,000,000 and its annual 
sales total more than $90,000,000. 


Following his. education in the 
public schools of New York, Jack 
Cohn began his business career at 
the age of 13 as a general helper 
with the Hampton Advertising 
Agency, where he was to meet 
Joseph Brandt. In 1908, Jack Cohn 
left Hampton and went to work as 
assistant to Doc Willett, who was 
manager of the laboratory for Carl 
Laemmle’s Imp Company, one of 
the earliest motion picture firms. 
Young Cohn’s salary was $7 a 
week, for which he undertook just 
about every task at the laboratory, 
including film cutting and editing. 


By 1911, Jack Cohn was so en- 
thused about the motion picture 
industry that he prevailed upon his 
old friend, Joe Brandt, to leave 


his position as advertising manager 
of the Dramatic Mirror to join 
Imp, which Laemmle was soon to 
amalgamate with the Universal 
company. 

In the next several years, Jack 
Cohn was to make his mark on 
the bustling young “movies,” espe- 
cially in the burgeoning field of 
the newsreel. He early had become 
fascinated with the motion picture 
as a news medium and worked 
himself up to the position of editor 
and producer of the Universal 
Weekly, first of the independent 
newsreels. While in that position 
he conceived the idea of establish- 
ing bureaus in key cities to facili- 
tate the coverage of spot news. 
Many other of his innovations are 
still in use on present day news- 
reels. 


During this period, Jack Cohn 
became recognized also as one of 
the outstanding film editors in the 
young industry. He also became 
one of the early champions of the 
animated cartoon. In 1913 he was 
put in charge of all production for 
Imp studio, which was located at 
at 56th Street and 10th Avenue in 
New York. He was responsible for 
such early boxoffice successes as 
“Traffic in Souls” and “Crashing 
Through to Berlin.” 

In 1919, Jack and his younger 
brother Harry, who had entered 
the motion picture field and was 
working in a production capacity 
at Universal studio on the West 
Coast, decided to strike out for 
themselves. They invited Brandt to 
join them and in 1920 they opened 
tor business as the CBC Film Sales 
Company, using a single room at 
1600 Broadway as their head- 
quarters. 


CBC started operations by pro- 
ducing and distributing short sub- 
jects. Jack Cohn drew up plans for 
a film series which would serve as 
a “fan magazine of the screen”, 
showing sceres of the stars in their 
non-working hours. In the spring 
of 1920 the first Screen Snapshots 
was released, having been edited by 
Jack Cohn, and today Columbia is 
still producing this series, the oldest 
motion picture series in existence. 

By 1924 the name of the com- 
pany had been changed to Colum- 
bia Pictures. Harry Cohn moved to 
California to take charge of pro- 
duction and the studio operations, 
while Jack stayed in New York to 
oversee development of the sales 
arm of the company. The com- 


PAGE SEVENTEEN 


Names in the News 
During 1956! 


N. A. TAYLOR 
President of Twinex-Century Theatres, 
and International Film Distributors, who 
this year gave up the Presidency of the 
Canadian Picture Pioneers, but was just 
recently elected Chief Barker, Variety 
Club Tent No. 28. 


CLARE APPEL 
CMPDA Executive Secretary, whose in- 
stitutional ads, made up originally for the 
Roxy Theatre, West Hill, Ont., were wide- 
ly adopted by theatres from coast-to- 
coast, with favorable public reaction. 


pany grew steadily to national pro- 
portions by 1929 and then began 
expanding around the globe. Today, 
besides the home office in New 
York and the studio in Hollywood, 
the company has 33 offices in the 
United States and more than 100 in 
foreign lands. . 

In 1939, Jack Cohn founded the 
Motion Picture Pioneers, an orga- 
nization for men who had served 
in the motion picture industry for 
more than 25 years. Subsequently 
he established the Foundation of 
the Motion Picture Pioneers, a 
charitable organization designed to 
aid needy ex-members of the in- 
dusty. He served continually as the 
president of both groups, and on 
November 30th last he had presid- 
ed at the annual dinner of the 
organizttions, 


; rey 


DAN KRENDEL 
Ontario District Manager for Famous 
Players, Chairman for the second success- 
ful year of the Pioneers Golf Tournament, 


and who recently was elected Ist Assis- 
tant Chief Barker, Voriety Club Tent 
No. 28. 


JOE GARFIN 
Who early in the year resigned as 
Toronto Branch Manager for Empire- 
Universal to form the West Coast Booking 


Service, at Vancouver, in partnership with | 


Owen Bird, President of the B.C. Exhibitors 
Association. 


LEONARD W. BROCKINGTON, Q.C. 
President of Odeon Theatres (Canada) 
Limited, who recently returned from a trip 
to India, where he represented Canada at 
peg UNESCO Conference held at New 
elhi, 


The Big F 
From =Oth 
For 
Christmas! 


THE GREATEST PROGRAM IN 
OUR ENTIRE HISTORY! 


One of the most important dramatic presentations ever! 


Anastasia 


COLOR by DELUXE 
CINEMASCOPE 


INGRID BERGMAN - YUL BRYNNER - HELEN HAYES 


Produced by Directed by Screenplay by 


BUDDY ADLER - ANATOLE LITVAK - ARTHUR LAURENTS 


SELECTED HOLIDAY ENGAGEMENTS! 


The world’s outstanding attraction at popular prices ! 


RODGERS and HAMMERSTEIN present 


Oklahoma ? 


CINEMAScCOPE Color by TECHNICOLOR 


serine GORDON MacRAE - GLORIA GRAHAME - SHIRLEY JONES 
GENE NELSON - CHARLOTTE GREENWOOD - EDDIE ALBERT 
JAMES WHITMORE - ROD STEIGER 


Produced by Directed by 


ARTHUR HORNBLOW, JR. - FRED ZINNEMANN 


sci 


Heavenly holiday happiness! Entertainment for everybody! 


The Girl 
Can't Help It 


CINEMseaScoPE COLOR by DELUXE 


serine TOM EWELL- JAYNE MANSFIELD - EDMOND O'BRIEN 


with GupSt Stars JULIE LONDON - RAY ANTHONY - BARRY GORDON 


wre yervaed and 14 ROCK ’N’ ROLL HEADLINERS! 
ce plonde Produced and Directed by FRANK TASHLIN 
Screenplay by FRANK TASHLIN ang HERBERT BAKER BOOK IT EARLY . 


SCHOOL’S OUT DECEMBER 20th! 


The nation’s sensation! 
The hottest name in show business! 


Love Me Tender 


CINEMASCOPE 


starring 


RICHARD EGAN - DEBRA PAGET ang introducing ELVIS PRESLEY 


Produced by Directed by Screenplay by 


DAVID WEISBART . ROBERT D. WEBB - ROBERT BUCKNER usket acide 


WAITING AUDIENCE IN HISTORY! 


4h 


) 22 Ph POF Tp POR Dp rR ty pee Dy 


7 


ve 
9g 
f 
sf 
; 


, 


a 
“Ss 


por i) gee i) for eee thee 
tee # 
a ss, fo 


i 


JOP YS (OF) POF) fOr} OF} OF hh vert 
nae O ntree  ntee O nt 
aa trae, 4a, 4s. : 


pot) 
sh 


por t) 
ne 
— 


ine 
“ 


F) JO) ORD yor} yo; 
= 


jr 
a, 
——S 


= 


} Year t} yes th Yes 


je; 
Es, 


Ss 


fier User User 
~ 


Qsear-R-Hanson 


REPRESENTING 
ALLIED ARTISTS PICTURES on 


LION INTERNATIONAL fitvrep 


EXCLUSIVE CANADIAN DISTRIBUTION 


FOTO-NITE 


LAE EEE AS AE LE AE EE A AEE EE EEE EEE EEE EGE GE IE ELE LE GE LE GEN GEILE GE GE LE LEE LE LE LE LEE LE ELE EEE LEA 


Best Wishes 


FROM 


George Qullahan ‘ 


DECEMBER 22, 1956 


An estimated THREE AND A HALF MILLION DOLLARS has 
been paid out by Canadian Foto-Nite theatres since the inception of 


Foto-Nite 18 years ago. 


Pete Barnes of San Angelo, 
Texas, the owner and originator of 
Foto-Nite, came to Canada in 1938 
and one of his first contacts in the 
Canadian motion picture field was 
Oscar Hanson. Mr. Hanson, at that 
time, was President of Hanson 
Theatres Limited in addition to 
being President of the Empire-Uni- 
versal organization. 

Pete Barnes and Oscar Hanson 
made a Foto-Nite distribution con- 
tract with Sterling Films Limited 
distributing company. 

Foto-Nite had its Canadian pre- 
miere in the Granada Theatre, 
Napanee, Ontario in August, 1938 
with the Capitol Theatre, Belle- 
ville, Ontario installing the Foto- 
Nite cash offer show one week 
later. Since then hundreds of Can- 
adian theatres from Sydney, N.S., 
to Victoria, B.C., have or are pre- 
senting Foto-Nite. Foto-Nite 
through the years has operated in 
practically every town and city 
throughout the Dominion. 


The legality angle of Foto-Nite 
has had a most interesting history. 
Charged with violations of the 
Lottery Act in nearly every Pro- 
vince, Foto-Nite has yet to be 
found guilty of any contravention 
of the Canadian Lottery Act. The 
most recent case occurred in Sas- 
katoon this year with an acquittal 
judgment being awarded to Foto- 
Nite. An appeal taken by the 
Crown was dismissed by the Court 
of Appeal which ruled that Foto- 
Nite is legal. The Legal Depart- 
ment of the Foto-Nite organization 
has been under the capable direc- 
tion of Mr. Louis Davidson who 
has supervised all legal aspects of 
Foto-Nite since the original intro- 
duction into this country. 


Foto-Nite actually operates un- 
der a charter granted by the Do- 
minion Government of Canada 
and, as a theatre advertising plan, 
is registered under several Canadi- 
an copyrights. 


Foto-Nite combines a stage con- 
test with a pyramiding cash offer. 
Previous to the start of Foto-Nite 
in a theatre, Foto-Nite registrations 
are collected by a door-to-door 
campaign and in the theatre lobby. 
On Foto-Nite, through the co-oper- 
ation of the audience and a novel 
yet easy-to-present stage contest, 
a name is selected and if the person 
whose name is selected is at the 
theatre, he or she is eligible for a 
large amount of cash. If the person 


CANADIAN MOVING PICTURE DIGEST 


THE FOTO-NITE STORY 


By GEORGE OULLAHAN 


George Oullahan, General 
Manager of Sterling Films, 
has been connected with Fo- 
to-Nite from its Canadian 
beginning and has supervised 
Foto-Nite’s sales, promotion 
and presentation for many 
years. 


whose name is selected is not at 
the theatre, then more money is 
added and the Foto-Nite offer 
keeps increasing each week until 
the person selected is at the theatre 
and receives the Foto-Nite cash 
offer. 

All a person has to do, there- 
fore, to participate in Foto-Nite, 
is make sure his or her name is 
registered and be at the Foto-Nite 
theatre on Foto-Nite. There is no 
charge to register for Foto-Nite. 

The registration campaign is 
backed up with promotion and 
exploitation that, through the years 
has been developed to utilize every 


474 


May the best ye e’er had be the worst 
ye ll e’er hae! 


Toronto." 


EEN YU NE RN OE NE OO OO BT A AR EA i A A A AA De Di De a i ae 


Greetings 
FROM 


CHUM - 1050 


TORONTO'S TOP 


Show Business 
STATION 


@ JIMMY FIDDLER, exclusive from Hollywood 
to CHUM - 1050 in Toronto! 


@ PHIL STONE, cHUM-1050 Show Business 
Editor, "All Eyes & Ears’ on "Main Street, 


‘@ FIRST with show-business music, news and interviews. 


CHUM - 1050 0n Your Dial! 


medium of advertising. Trained 
organizers supervise the entire in- 
stallation of Foto-Nite in theatres. 
Recently, large Foto-Nite pay-outs 
have been covered and appeared 
as highly interesting news items on 
CBC television stations in Toronto, 
Montreal, Ottawa and Halifax. 
Even Dorothy Kilgallen, in her 
widely syndicated column, has 
made reference to the Canadian 
Foto-Nite cash offer shows. 


In 1952 Foto-Nite won one of 
the highly coveted Canadian Mov- 
ing Picture Digest Showmanship 
awards. 


The large city pool is a develop- 
ment of Foto-Nite in recent years. 
Through this plan, theatres in a 
city group together to present a 
combined and very large cash 
offer. A special telephone hook-up 
makes it possible to announce the 
name selected each week simul- 
taneously in almost any number of 
theatres. The pool system creates 
a much bigger cash offer and al- 
lows for a much more extensive 
and effective advertising campaign, 
group newspaper advertising, etc., 


RUBE E NEM NENE 


(AAA AAGAAAA LAD AAA AAA 


YRABBRAARAAD AAA AABAAAAAAL HHABAAAABARBAARS 


: 
| 
| 
: 
| 


PAGE TWENTY-ONE 


but reduces the per theatre cost of 
installation and operation. For the 
past seven years, twenty theatres 
in Toronto; twenty-two theatres in 
Winnipeg; eight theatres in Ottawa; 
twelve theatres in Montreal and 
ten theatres in Vancouver have 
operated the Foto-Nite poo] sys- 
tem. This year, eight theatres in 
Hamilton started off on a Foto-Nite 
pool. 


Sterling Films provides a month- 
ly bulletin service which supplies 
its many customers with new ideas 
and suggestions on how to promote 
and present Foto-Nite and exploit 
in general the Foto-Nite box office 
potential. The bulletin stimulates 
interest in promotion and exploita- 
tion by offering monthly prizes for 
published Foto-Nite promotions 
and special stage presentations. 


Over eighteen years Foto-Nite 
has established itself as a promo- 
tional and box office service to 
Canadian theatres. Plans are now 
in the making to tie-up even larger 
numbers of theatres on the pool 
system and some will involve cash 
offers up to five figures. 


ieee eta ta 
; 
Best Wishes 


to our 


Friends and 


Associates 


aT 


Theatres L 


Montreal 


wv 
: 
, 
: 
= 
: 
: 
F 
4 


LRRRARRARAAARAAHAAI AR AAAAAHAARHAHA HAAARAARAABA 


[HADAAAAAAAAAAAMAAABR 


7 
: 


PRACTISE OF 


The Ten Gommandments 


GIVEN BY GOD TO MOSES 
WOULD ASSURE 


WVeace On Earth, 
GHoorwill Towards Men 


PARAMOUNT PICTURES 


DECEMBER 22, 1956 


HIGHLIGHTS 


(Continued from Page 11) 


JULY 


UA’s “Trapeze” opens to record- 
breaking business across Canada 
. RKO to distribute 12 pix to 
be made in N.Y. by Himan 
Brown’s Galahad Productions . 
Manitoba Pioneers hold annual golf 
tourney .. . Ron Leonard succeeds 
Jim Hardiman as Odeon ad-pub 
director . . . Warner sale to Seme- 
nenko group confirmed; Harry 


Warner resigns as President, suc- 
ceeded by Brother Jack; Ben Kal- 
menson appointed Executive V-P 


JACK L. WARNER 


in charge of sales; Roy Haines new 
General Sales Manager . . . Mani- 
toba Exhibitors hold annual picnic 
... Famous Players buy seven Van- 
couver theatres from Paul Nathan- 
son, including 2,87 1-seat Orpheum; 
all theatres previously leased by 
F-P ... Ken Reason appointed 
Montreal Branch Manager, Gen- 
eral Theatre Supply, succeeding 
Harry Burko, resigned . . . Para- 
mount’s “Man Who Knew Too 
Much” beating all previous Hitch- 
cock productions at the box-office 


BERT BROWN 


CANADIAN MOVING PICTURE DIGEST 


. “The King and I” biggest 
20th-Fox grosser since “The Robe” 
. Nova Scotia reduces Amuse- 
ment Tax UA’s “Trapeze” 
breaks all-time world’s gross for 
one week with $4,112,500 take in 


first seven days of release... Win- 
nipeg indie drive-in offers free ad- 
missions, charges “monopolistic” 


practises by Western Theatres, F-P 
affiliate Owen Sound and 
Oshawa theatres receive seat-tax 
reduction . . . CBC reports deficit 
of $1,358,621 on combined radio 
and television operations, com- 
pared with profit of $1,267,668 for 
previous year Raymond E. 
Moon, assistant general sales man- 
ager, Universal, dies suddenly; suc- 
ceeded by F. J. A. McCarthy, 


dent . . . Sid Gutnik succeeds Bill 
Smith as Vancouver Branch Mana- 
ger for RKO. . . Complete sell-out 
for Canadian Picture Pioneers an- 
nual golf tournament Otto 
Preminger announces talent search 
for unknown actress to play title 
role in “Saint Joan”, to be released 
by UA Robert Taplinger to 
head Warner Bros, advertising and 
publicity dept. . Cecil B. De- 
Mille celebrates 75th Birthday . . 
M-G-M’s “High Society” estab- 
lishes new records in all openings 
Peter Myers presides over 
20th-Fox Canadian sales meet; 
Alex Harrison and C. Glenn Norris 
in attendance; launch world-wide 
Showmanship Drive Federal 


Resources Minister Lesage bans 


ROY HAINES 


former Southern and Canadian 
Sales Manager . . . Fred C. Leav- 
ens appointed Supervisor, Regional 
Theatres Circuit, Odeon subsidi- 
ary. 


AUGUST 


Columbia’s “Eddy Duchin Story” 
sensational box-office hit . . . U.S. 
Congress exempts theatre admis- 
sions up to 90 cents from Amuse- 
ment Tax ... Warner Bros. aban- 
dons newsreel . . . Leo F. Samuel 
and James O’Gara, Buena Vista 
execs. in Toronto for conferences 
with A. W. Perry, Emp-U Presi- 


RON LEONARD 


BEN KALMENSON 


drive-ins from National Parks, 
claims they are “ugly”... Cana- 
dian Film Awards presented at 
Stratford Film Festival .. . Famous 
Players expands publicity dept., 
with Bert Brown and Jimmy Cam- 
eron appointed special representa- 
tives to work on “War and Peace” 
and “Ten Commandments” 

Free admissions extended to three 
more Winnipeg ozoners . Dis- 
ney’s “Fantasia” re-release packs 
them in at U.S. and Canadian 
theatres .. . “The First Travelling 
Saleslady”, first film to be pro- 
duced by new RKO, goes into re- 
lease W-B’s “Moby Dick” 


JIM HARDIMAN 


PAGE TWENTY-THREE 


packs powerful wallop at box- 


office. 


SEPTEMBER 


UA holds Canadian sales meet; 
Jim Velde addresses sales force... 
M-G-M sells backlog to 12 TV 
stations for $20,000,000 
RKO’s “The Brave One”, and 
M-G-M’s “Lust For Life” and “In- 
vitation To Dance” big hits at 
Edinburgh Film Festival ... JARO 
shooting “High Tide At Noon” at 
Nova Scotia fishing village .. . 
Winnipeg ozoner offers free admis- 
sion PLUS free gas . . . Sharp drop 


recorded in Canadian theatre clos- 
ings; F-P and Odeon re-open Van- 
couver subs . 


.. J. Duane McKen- 


HARRY M. WARNER 


zie re-elected President, Sask. 
Exhibitors Ass’n .. . National Film 
Board formally opens magnificent 
new headquarters’ building in 
Montreal Special WOMPI 
Award presented to Miss Mary 
Peabody, Fredericton operator... 
CBC extends microwave network 
Quebec to Winnipeg . . . Bill Smith 
joins IFD 16mm. division . . 

A. W. Shackleford re-elected Presi- 
dent, Alberta Theatres Association 

(Continued on Page 25) 


JIMMY CAMERON 


THE FUTURE 
IS THE BUSINESS OF TODAY 
AT TECHNICOLOR 


In these years of creative expan- 
sion within the motion picture industry, 
Technicolor is pioneering again with 
a broad research program directed 
toward the needs of the cinema over 


the next year and the next decade. 


TECHNICOLOR CORPORATION 


TECHNICOLOR IS OUR REGISTERED TRADEMARK 
HERBERT T. KALMUS, PRESIDENT AND GENERAL MANAGER 


a 
| 
4 


nade 


Se a ae 


see i 
a SS 


Si 


oe 
=e 


~ 


Ho 
os 


eg 
=5 


ae 


we 


Lion 
AP 


3F 


= s ceases cs 


Peat 


DECEMBER 22, 


HIGHLIGHTS 


(Continued from Page 23) 

... SARO’s “Reach For The Sky” 
has gala premiere, Odeon-Toronto, 
under auspices of RCAF Associa- 
tion . Arthur Irwin, former 
Commissioner, National Film 
Board, named Canadian Ambassa- 
dor to Brazil . . . UA to release 48 
features for new season, 30 already 
completed . . . Stanley Warner 
Corp., and ABC-Paramount Thea- 
tres to invest in film production. 


OCTOBER 


Netherlands Gold Medal Award 
to NFB for outstanding documen- 
tary and scientific films . . . Foto- 
Nite ruled NOT a lottery by Sask. 


1956 


CANADIAN MOVING PICTURE DIGEST 


Films to handle own sales; JARFD 
to do physical distribution only... 
Miss Olive Coplestone, M-G-M, 
Toronto, elected Western Regional 
Director, WOMPI’s at annual con- 
vention held in Augusta, Ga. 


Montreal & Toronto branches 
among top three in UA Week 
Drive . . . Sid Spiegel, Super-Pufft 


Popcorn Co., Toronto, honored as 
Popcorn Man of the Year at annual 
convention of Popcorn and Con- 
cessions Ass’n. Phil Stone 
appointed Executive Vice-President 
CHUM, Toronto Famous 
Players buy out interests of En- 
twistle family in Edmonton theatres 


. Harry A. Friedman, Odeon 
partner in Edmonton theatres, dies 
suddenly .. . “King And I” runs 
in Toronto and Vancouver set new 


PAGE TWENTY-FIVE 


for Civic Square... Famous Play- (SS "6 ee 
ers hold 3-day Eastern Division “ x 
Conference in Niagara Falls; ““Ten ¥ ; . 
Commandments” and “War and = ¥% SEASON'S 3 
Peace” screened for managers and x 
partners; Cecil B. DeMille addres- © GREETINGS 8 
ses convention . Joseph Vogel Mi NY 
succeeds Arthur M. Loew as vf TOALI. is 
President, Loew’s, Inc.; Leopold y A 
Friedman new President, Loew’s ¥ MY FRIENDS ik 
Theatres Archie Mason re- ¢ 
elected President, Maritimes Allied ¥ is 
Exhibitors Toronto preview ¢ x 
audience hails “Ten Command- Mi is 
ments” as “greatest ever’ LEN BISHOP x 
Charles Boasberg to Toronto for 4 EN 
special Paramount sales meet. ‘4 ‘ 
NOVEMBER Civcuvuicnchrsicdiiclian ta an 

SSOP ELE LEE LO OR OR LOR LOR OR OR OR OEE 

Winnipeg Pioneers Branch and ment of $5,000,000 ... Walt 
James A. Whitebone, Saint John Disney wins Screen Producers’ 


The Mayor of Fredericton, 


N.B., presents Miss Mary Peabody, 


operator at the 


Capitol, Fredericton, with a special WOMPI Award, inspired by a story about Miss 


Peabody which appeared in The Digest. 


Court of Appeal Ontario 
exhibitors launch appeal for aboli- 
tion of amusement tax . . . Cardinal 


records . . . Abe Montague, Gen- 
eral Sales Manager, and Rube 
Jackter, Assistant Sales Manager, 
Columbia, in Toronto for confer- 
ences with Louis Rosenfeld and 
Harvey Harnick ... Oscar R. 
Hanson named as Canadian Picture 
“Pioneer of the Year” .. . Famous 
Players given notice by City of To- 
ronto to vacate Shea’s Theatre by 
first of year, in order to make way 


REUBEN W. BOLSTAD 


f Producer-director Cecil B, DeMille compares notes on “The Ten Commandments” 
with Famous Players executives, at the F-P Eastern Division Conference in Niagara Falls, 
as Paramount’s Charles Boasberg looks on. 


operator, named for special  Guild’s annual Milestone Award 
Pioneer awards on J. Arthur Rank Miss Alice Fairweather, 
to establish his own U.S. dis- pioneer Maritimes film _ figure, 


tribution company; John Davis 
Kenneth Hargreaves and Harry 
Norris in Toronto for meetings with 
Odeon and JARFD execs .. . Ken- 
neth Hargreaves named as Presi- 
dent of new corporation . Lou 
Chesler’s PRM reported entering 
film production with initial invest- 


passes . . . Gerald G. Graham of 
the NFB, named to Board of Govy- 
ernors, SMPTE; first Canadian so 
honored . . . JARO’s “Battle of the 
River Plate” honored as Royal 
Command Film . . . 20th Century- 
Fox to release CinemaScope ver- 
sion of “Oklahoma!” in U.S. and 
Canada . . . Famous Players hold 
Western Division Conference in 
Edmonton; 7 new members in- 
ducted into 25-Year Club... 
Arthur Godfrey star at Royal Agri- 
cultural Winter Fair, Toronto . 
Mrs. Eva Delaney, pioneer woman 
exhibitor, dies at Gananoque 
ASN’s film-making course a com- 
plete sell-out 20th-Fox sche- 
dules over 50 pictures for next 
season Over 400 Industry 
members gather at King Edward 
Hotel to honor Oscar Hanson, 
“Pioneer of the Year” .. . Martin 


JOHN DAVIS (Continued on Page 27) 


Merry Christmas and 
A Happy New Year 


APAC 


COMPOSERS, AUTHORS and 
PUBLISHERS ASSOCIATION 
OF CANADA 


Te SE eee Se ee ee 


alte ik Bia Eiri ee 


= 


AN 
ay 
Ais 
BY 
SeSSaa 
ee ee eae 


EP ag Wy Way Wop ag a ag Ea ag Hi ay Ea ER EE as Ha ag ER as Es ES ag ta ag HB ag HS a HS ay SPS ao Hay HA ay ES ap HSM oy Eta oy Fite a, Ets Ss ES 3s Se sg BE FS ag Ba EG as BS ag Wot as EG 2p BB ag EE ay ES we Fs FB as FR » Es. B 
m he i nr Do VD go Sarto re 2 2 ee er, 2 ear wr % % eh I ES SD = we ae : = Qh ai ‘ 7 - 
(Feria Pog eriig Perig (Perrig Provtg (teosg beziig (Peri (Povig (Peorig (Pertg (Per:lg Prva (Pritg Perle (Berta lPriig Prrig Pig (Peo ig lPercig (Pata (Boia Borig (Porta (Porta erilg (Parla Parig (Peoria (orig Parig Paria | Parig (Pala Pasig Porte (Maile (aria (Parte (Para Perla (Porlg (Parig (Parte (ees Re] 


5 


+ Season's Greetings 


f 3 
‘4 a 
if i 
} 
if A, ie 


a “aay “Ge 
| 
j 2 2 
( 
ve — » 


z, 


haa Se Ba Be Be 


THEATRE . a 


Ni 
HOLDING = # 
AN 


B 


Seta ot, sg 


CORPORATION * 


LIMITED ‘an 


we 


q 
A 
4 


Saal 


PEEVE PEAY POP TS OED POAT HOA Hh eA Ty POAT TOA TS OOD OA Th POA YS OD ON Ty poet} IO Dy ORD POAT Oe) ORD LO Th Bee Hh ee yO Yh 2OH TD) per) Or 2A Th er hn 
=e : oto >) 


5 


Hs 
Toronto an 
aN 


te) Bite) 


rR “a, 
a9 


~y S: 
Oe eras. Cras. Crh ss Cres Crp. Cres CRS Crh Orbs. Crs. Cres. Cig s. Crps. Crp. Ch». CTE s.. Crp». Cras. Cia. BSR ORS Oh CO OR OTR Cee CR OR RS ORS ORS CRS. COR, Sth FLAN 
eee, a 2 2) a Tmo io i ama oy a a a a zy 7 A a a a a a a oj a i) a 2 a o a y ea a RR ERS, Ete .. ft ., ¥ * "ip Ths 
sett pat boar baa! Ueno! Umol tat et teal eal iol et Una eer eet eet Uget tel eet Lar A sii ¢ sat Nhat that bat eat eat seat Mesa ese Mere ize pa nat sal pal geal at gat a a gee ba bee me 
3 Gas ze ia 7g Pa ca Py Fo. 


DECEMBER 22, 1956 


HIGHLIGHTS 


(Continued from Page 25) 


Quigley, Jr., guest of honor at an- 
nual MPTAO Luncheon 
$9,000,000 budget set for John 
Wayne’s 4 indie pictures, with re- 
lease through UA. . . Warner 
Bros.’ “Giant” rolling up greatest 
grosses in company’s entire history 
. . . Lionel Lester re-elected Presi- 
dent, MPTAO . . . Rube Bolstad 
re-elected Chairman, Canadian Mo- 
tion Picture Industry Council .. . 
C. W. Marshall named to head 
NFB’s Asian Distribution Division 
... Pat Hogan, veteran Paramount 
Saint John Branch Manager, re- 
tires; Bob Murphy named Saint 
John Manager; Romeo Goudreau 
new Montreal Manager. 


DECEMBER 


Famous Players acquire Holly- 
wood, Toronto, as replacement for 
Shea’s; to be hooked up with 
Palace and Runnymede as first-run 
outlet .. . Nat Taylor elected Chief 
Barker, Variety Club Tent No. 28; 


CANADIAN MOVING PICTURE DIGEST 


OSCAR R. HANSON 


Dan Krendel, new Ist Assistant 
Chief Barker; J. J. Fitzgibbons, 
Jr., 2nd Assistant; Chet Friedman, 
Property Master; Al Troyer, Dough 
Guy ... Sam Kunitsky’s Montreal 
Branch tops UA sales drives .. . 
Victor Hoare, Lion International 
Films, visits Toronto . . . JARO’s 
“Battle of the River Plate” scuttles 
all British film records . Elvis 


Scene of the final banquet at the F-P Western Division Conference, held in Edmon- 
ton, Alta., at which seven new members were inducted into Famous Players’ 25-Year Club. 


OVER THIRTY YEARS .... PROMPT .... SURE... . AND ACCURATE TRANSPORTATION 


Round the clock film delivery service 


GEORGE ALTMAN, President er 
for Theatre and Television 


JAMES A. WHITEBONE 


Presley’s “Love Me Tender’ a riot 


in Toronto opening . . . RKO an- 
nounces 14 releases for first six 
months of 1957 . . . Bob Murphy 


resigns as Paramount Saint John 
Manager; succeeded by Norm 
Simpson ... A. W. Perry, Mark 
Plottel, and M. J. “Mickey” Isman 
to Hollywood for Universal sales 
conference . New 9-theatre 


Seta 


PAGE TWENTY-SEVEN 


hook-up for first-run Toronto an- 
nounced; seven Twinex houses to 
join with F-P’s Oakwood, and B & 
F’s Century . . . Quebec Govern- 
ment rules children may see “Ten 
Commandments” . . . UA hosts to 
Toronto Press at luncheon for ad- 
pub chief Roger Lewis and Mori 
Kruschen Winnipeg Pioneers 
hold annual meeting; Hy Swartz 
re-elected President for second 
term . M-G-M trade - screens 
“Teahouse of the August Moon”, 
a fabulous picture . . . Vancouver 
Pioneers elect Ivan Ackery as 
President .. . Doris Robert, Granby 
exhibitor, re-elected President, 
Quebec Aliied Theatrical Industries 
... Art Milligan succeeds Jimmy 
Sturgess as President, IATSE Local 
173; Lou Lodge new _ business 
agent . . . Odeon Theatres sue 20th 
Century-Fox to prevent them from 
supplying CinemaScope version of 
“Oklahoma!” to Famous Players; 
F-P served with injunction, later 
dismissed Todd AO “Okla- 
homa!” in 33rd week, Tivoli, To- 
ronto, 31st week, Alouette, Mon- 
treal; “Cinerama Holiday” in 37th 
week, Imperial, Montreal. 


A general view of the 400-odd Industry members and friends who gathered to pay 
honor to Oscar R, Hanson, Canadian Picture Pioneers’ choice as “Pioneer of the Year.” 


Bill Pfaff @ Dick Brydges 


MNQAaHMmMwaQ 


SEASON’S GREETINGS 


AND 


Best Wishes for the New Vear 


FROM 


THE STAEF OF 


GENERAL THEATRE SUPPLY COMPANY 


mivTtTeo 


HALIFAX - SAINT JOHN - MONTREAL - OTTAWA - TORONTO - TIMMINS 
LONDON - WINNIPEG - CALGARY - EDMONTON - VANCOUVER 


na Sve on shes, tt tye rage rane tape teat eo reo Z toe aoe Tapert 
a a 


a 
PS Wecth Pesta Peoria Pers Peoria (errata Postage (erg (Povta Perig Priig (Poig (Peitg (Pe 


% 


284 KING STREET EAST, TORONTO 


BRANCHES 


VANCOUVER WINNIPEG MONTREAL 


DECEMBER 22, 1956 


CANADIAN MOVING PICTURE DIGEST 


Successful Canadian Box-Office Promotions 
To Increase Snack Bar Sales 


By JOHN G. FLANAGAN 
It has been the policy of Theatre Confections to use trailers, spot 
announcements, lucky licence plates, and other gimmicks to attract 
patrons to our concession bars. In addition to these merchandising aids 


we have each year operated a 
major contest for a six to eight 
week period. These contests were 
usually tied in with one or more 
of our suppliers who paid part of 
the cost. This year we decided to 
try something different, and Id 
liké to take a few minutes to pre- 
sent to you our bonus bill promo- 
tion. 

This promotion is certainly not 
original, as the basic idea has been 
used for years in other industries 
—all we did was give it a new 
twist. In setting up our own pro- 
motion, we added several things 
to a self-liquidating premium idea 
to suit our requirements. We knew 
if the promotion was to be suc- 
cessful we had to obtain premiums 
that would give real value and be 
attractive to our patrons. Having 
had no previous experience in this 
field} we used the services of a 
premium company to assist us in 
setting up the mechanics of the 
promotion. The premium company 
agreed to supply us with a variety 
of items on consignment. This was 
most important, as it relieved us of 
the responsibility of purchasing the 
premiums and also eliminated the 
danger of us being left with an 
inventory that would have to be 
liquidated at a loss. 

When choosing our premiums, 
we tried to select items that we 
could offer our patrons at about 
50% of their normal retail value. 
For example, we offered a boy 
scout knife that normally retailed 
at 80c for 40c and four bonus bills. 
This was not only a bargain for 
our customers, but it also gave a 
psychological value of 10c to each 
bonus bill. Incidentally, we added 
a small amount to our cost on each 
item to cover shipping and display 
costs, but we were still able to sell 
them at about 50% of the normal 
retail as our premium house had 
access to job lots and end-of-line 
merchandise that were purchased 
at considerably less than normal 
wholesale cost. 

To start the promotion, we of- 
fered sixteen items, ranging in 
price from 15c to a dollar, and 
surprisingly enough we had to go 
to higher priced lines. In order to 
purchase a premium, the patron 
would first have to obtain the 
necessary number of bonus bills 
from our concession bars. One 
bonus bill was given with every 
10c worth of merchandise pur- 
chased at the bar. Our first thought 
was to restrict bonus bills to the 


The Concessions Bar or Candy 
Counter has over the years be- 
come one of the most important 
sources of revenue for exhibitors 
everywhere. Under the direction 
of J. J. Fitzgibbons, Jr., Theatre 
Confections Limited has become 
one of the most successful opera- 
tions of its kind on the North 
American continent. Jack Fitz- 
gibbons served a term as Presi- 
dent of the National Association 
of Concessionaires, formerly the 
Popcorn and Concessions Asso- 
ciation, and is now on the Na- 
tional Council of the Association. 
At the Famous Players Eastern 
and Western Division confer- 
ences, held this Fall in Niagara 
Falls, Ont., and Edmonton, Alta., 
the demonstration of confection 
promotions, put on by the Thea- 
tre Confections crew, comprising 
Jack Fitzgibbons, Andy Rouse, 
John Flanagan, Ken Wells, 
Harry Sullivan, Norm Rea and 
Frank Troy, were the high spots 
of both meetings. 

The above paper was read to 
the NAC Convention in New 
York last September, by John 
Flanagan, Manager of Theatre 
Confections’ Drive-In Division, 
and typifies the wideawake sales 
promotion efforts being constant- 
ly employed by TCL. 


eeee EERE 


high profit lines, but we decided 
to give them with all items, even 
cigarettes. Our reasoning was that 
as these premiums were self-liqui- 
dating it wouldn’t cost us anything 
to include our low profit lines in 
the promotion. 

After selecting the original six- 
teen items, we set up displays in 
our head office and sent them 
complete to the theatre for instal- 
lation. 

This type of promotion is very 
flexible and it can with minor 
changes be tailored to fit any situ- 
ation, either indoor or drive-in. By 
changing the premiums regularly 
the interest of your patrons can be 
maintained. Of course, the best 
feature is that it can be operated 
at no cost to the theatre. 

Although this promotion was a 
test with us and used only in four 
drive-ins and one indoor theatre, 
we were very pleased with the re- 
sults obtained. All theatres showed 
an increase in return per patron 
and we plan to make it available 
to the rest of our arenas and indoor 
theatres this winter. 


Salutations From 


MEXICANA 
MUNDIAL sa. 


MONTREAL 


Ww 


Distributors 


of 


19595 


LE DROIT DE NAITRE 


(The Right To Be Born) 


and 


1756 


CEUX QUI NE DOIVENT 


PAS NAITRE 


(Those Who Should Not Be Born) 


and 


1957 


UN DIVORCE 


and 


IN EASTMAN COLOR 


AVEC QUI SORT VOTRE FILLE? 


(Who's Your Daughter Running With?) 


PAGE TWENTY-NINE 


EXHIBITORS HAVE DEPENDED ON REPUBL 


a 


cacitt 


a. Nine nome bine 


C’S BOXOFFICE PICTURES FOR 20 YEARS 


and Republic 
continues to deliver: f 


ASES 


refit Ss aA sues TRAIL BLAZER 


THE 1S ARMED 


WITH PRIDE IN THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE PAST 
AND: CONFIDENCE IN THE FUTURE We TIkGe 
YOU TO MAKE IT A "HAPPY NEW YEAR" WITH 

REPUBLIC PICTURES 


CONGRESS DANCES 


CinemaScope TRUCOLOR by Consolidated Film Industries 
JOHANNA MATZ ¢« RUDOLF PRACK « HANNELORE BOLLMANN 


ACCUSED OF MURDER 


NATURAMA TRUCOLOR by Consolidated Film Industries 
DAVID BRIAN *« VERA RALSTON « SIDNEY BLACKMER 


AFFAIR IN RENO 


NATURAMA 
JOHN LUND « DORIS SINGLETON « JOHN ARCHER 


DURANGO GUNFIGHTER 


NATURAMA 

iy 

: ANNA MARIA ALBERGHETTI « BEN COOPER « JIM DAVIS 
¥ 


| Distributed in Canada by J. ARTHUR RANK FILM DISTRIBUTORS (CANADA) LIMITED. 


s 
; 


SRE EE SE AS AER EE SS EE EEE EES EE PE RR EG 


CT are EE EEE EE EE EE ELE ELE EEE AEE LEE LE. 
¥ ie ik 
7 2 '. S 
: Season's Greetings . ne 
My mz § Best is 
and H Wishes 3 
¥ : From x 
it 4 x 
‘ Best Wishes - 
: ‘ : The : 
¥ To All the . ¥ eo i 
Y : iy Maritime i 
M Members of the Motion ‘ : ; ] 
MH Picture Industry ; y Motion | 
: d | 4 
‘ RS Picture i , 
it a oe : | 
i ‘ Exhibitors ‘ | 
a Arar 
MANITOBA ; : Association : ii 
is y Presid s "4 
: MOTION PICTURE 7: rear. " 
: 7 accel | 
: EXHIBITORS ‘ Springhill, N.S. : 7 
t Ry i 
ASSOCIATION a Secretary 3 
: RY G. A. WALTERS & . 
. is “ Charlottetown, P.E.I. 3 1 
300 New Hargrave Bldg. Winnipeg, Manitoba % 4 is ; 
7 tq 
A PREPS PERE RE PAE PE PEE PE RE PE RE REPS SES SS PS SD PEPE SE SA SAA SATA TS _ SSE SEE RATE renee ee Se nee 


“Sincere Holiday Greetings” 


i. 


Wishing you a Merry Christmas 


SOX ETL 


and a Happy and Prosperous 1957, 
and it will be if you have Foto-Nite. 


BRE SARE RARE RA 
ae Meee 


Foto-Nite 


BERNIE PENNY AND STAFF 


Service Confections Ltd. 


WESTERN SUPER-PUFFT POPCORN CO. x 


243 LILAC STREET 
WINNIPEG, MANITOBA 


Amateur Shows Ltd. 


EEE EEE GEE AE GEE OE ERE EAE RE LEA GEE RE EEE DRE LEDER GE GEE LE EEE LE LE GEG, 


SARARA SALA SA SA SA SA SASS SAA SSSA SA ASAT SA SSSA SS SA SA SASS SS SASS SSSA SA SA SASS PS SOFA SA 


eee 


SPE SSIS ISIOIS IA IEIS FOIA ID POSE FE FOIA FO FOFD SESE IDSA FOIOIOSE 


Gp RR PE EE PEE EE EE EE EEE EE EEE LE EE EE EEE, 


Ni 


Season's Greetings 


and 


Best Wishes 


F. G. SPENCER COMPANY LIMITED 
Saint John, New Brunswick 


< 


May this Holiday Season bring 
you the best of all things 


ASTRAL FILMS LTD. 


JERRY H. SOLWAY IZZY ALLEN 
HARRY GINSLER 


MARTY BOCKNER 


BILL FORMAN 
HAROLD COUCH 


ed 


A Very Merry Christmas 


THE SUMMERVILEES 


W.A. Sr. 
BILLY Jr., DON 


Prince of Wales Theatre — Toronto 


SSS 


AE PES ES ES SES EE 


A Happy New Year 


one 


"SASASA SASS SASSSE SSSA SOS SO SOSO SO IO SOSO LOSE SOLO LO LO LOLO SE TO TALO DN 


» 


‘, 


oy 


Coe eS, 


Holiday Greetings 
To The Trade 


AND A SPECIAL WISH FOR 
A HAPPY AND 
PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR 
TO ALL INDEPENDENT THEATRE OWNERS 


i. 
Allied Theatres 


BEN FREEDMAN 
PRESIDENT 


oe ee Se 


SESS SSIS ISPS SSSA IA ISIS SEPA IS SAIS SESE EIS IS IA IA IS ISIS IA IS IS IIS a a ee 


* 


8 


th 


iS Si SS Si SS Si SiS SS SS SSS SSeS 


*€, 


‘Satna tte tata 


Season’s 


Season's 


Greetings : 
freetings 


to all our 


fellow exhibitors 


3 


Alberta 


Theatres 
Association 
BRITISH COLUMBIA 
EXHIBITORS 
A. W. SHACKLEFORD, ASSOCIATION 
President 
MATT PARK, OWEN BIRD 


President 
Secretary-Treasurer 


LBAAAAADBAAAAAAAAAS BAMA 


gree EEE EE ERE EE SE EE EE A A EE EE EE DE A SS EE EE DE EE EE DE SE REE EE EE NE EE ERE EE NE NEE NEE BE 

BG BeBe Dee Dee De BeBe Be ee ee eee DE eee DEN DEDEDE DNDN 
BE RENE BS EE RE BE ERE SE BEE SE RE RE AE BEE SE DRE DA DE SE EE BE A DASE BE EDA BE ESE BE 4 SE ABE SE DE EE DE EE EE BE EE NE BE 

ARMM AAA MALAI IAABA HARRAH AAL AA BIABAAABWAMARAARAARARARAARA 


RRARARARAAAAAAAAAAAR 


a 


WK es re eres 


<a 


RARASASASA 


The Season’s Greetings 
and Best Wishes 


MAY THE NEW YEAR BRING 


TO YOU AND YOURS THE 
BEST OF ALL THINGS 


Ww 


SA SE SR SEE SEE SER SAE SE SA RE REE RE RE SE RR SR a a 


REGIONAL THEATRES 


20 CARLTON ST., TORONTO 


TAS 


a ee ad a 


a 


MEINE NENA IEE NANA NEI NEN NAIR IER IRIE 


i 4 


POO OOO eae 


a 


Season 8 


Holiday 
Greetings 


Greetings 


Saskatchewan 
Exhibitors : 
Recacict Motion 
ssociation 
Picture 
. Theatres 
Association 


of Ontario 


J. DUANE McKENZIE 


President 


Arch H. Jolley: 
Executive Secretary j 


& 
aR 
a 
a 
hs 
: 
a 
; 
a 
si 
a 
x 
a 
8 
a 
‘a 
i 
A 
Fd 
a 
i 
a 
: 


SR RTE ERT ERE UE NE NE EE NE NE ET NE BA EE BE A A DE RED EE RE I AEE EES SA DS SS EB 


ee eR EE EE EU EE UE EE EE ME ES MERE ME BS ES, 


& 


att, 


QPS LSS SE SS EE 


Compliments 
of the 
Season 


FROM 


A PRODUCTION OF 


fi Ne ae Rank 


SCREEN ADVERTISING SERVICES 
OF CANADA LIMITED 


20 CARLTON ST. TORONTO 


S 


VBIOLEIAIAIDIAFOFOIEIDIDIOSO FASO IOIOIOIOIOIOIED 


Oo a ree 
ny a at Bi RR ea a ae 


ae Rue 


IT’S ON THE WAY FRO 


me for the most 
prosperous 
engagement 


you ever had! 


5 HAPPY 
REASONS 4 
why po 
“Bundle 
of Joy” 
isa 
box-office 


gift... 


Eddie’s first movie— 
and he’s No. 1 with 
millions of fans! 


Eddie and Debbie— 

America’sNewSweet- 
hearts together for the | : 
first time in a movie! a 


6 headed-for-the-hit- ° y J 4 
parade songs —sung IN , e 
by Eddie and Debbie 
® —and the rest of this i 
wonderful cast! Bi IND OF ‘ C> Y VA : 
4 + p ‘ 


It’s Technicolor and 
Wide Screen—to get 
them away from their 
TV sets and into your 
theatre! 


It has wonderfully warm fun co-starring 


all the way—Toys . . . Songs 


+ cctaneemeret.- anaipue (MIEIJOU. uy NOONAN = emecoe 


think of the tie-ups for you! 


RK O with Nita TALBOT Una MERKEL Melville COOPER Bill GOODWIN + Howard McNEAR 


RADIO. Produced by EDMUND GRAINGER, Screen Play by NORMAN KRASNA, ROBERT CARSON and ARTHUR SHEEKMAN - Story by FELIX JACKSON 
PICTURE Directed by NORMAN TAUROG - Musical Numbers and Dances Staged by NICK CASTLE - Lyrics by MACK GORDON - Music by JOSEF MYROW 


A Christmas Gift 
For Boxoffices 
Everywhere! 


| 
¥ 
: 


, =— Featuring 
Lou gets Ve aN ,, GIGI PERREAU - RUSTY HAMER - MARY WICKES - TED DE CORSIA - RON HARGRAVE — 
the beat Ayix Xe \\ 4A Screenplay by Produced by Directed by Released thru 
“es x 


in the coolest 
Session 
that ever rocked 
the screen! 


Ee DEVERY FREEMAN - BOB GOLDSTEIN + CHARLES BARTON ~- UNITED ARTISTS